The race to replace graduating starter Bret Meyer was a focal point this spring in Ames, with Austen Arnaud and Phillip Bates battling to be the man under center in 2008. Who will lead Iowa State in future years is being addressed on the recruiting trail as well this spring and one target is Friendswood (Tex.) quarterback Jacob Karam.

The 6-foot-1, 197-pound Karam holds offers from the likes of Arizona, Colorado State, Houston, Missouri, Stanford and Rice. Iowa State joined that group earlier this spring and is in the mix for the talented Texas signal caller.

"They're up there with every other school that has offered me," Karam said. "I don't know that much about Iowa State, but I am just trying to learn more about them. I think it's definitely a possibility to make a trip up there. Me and my dad were talking about it and right now we're trying to schedule a trip during the summer to go up there. I'll probably go to a camp up there. I think it would be a cool thing to have the coaches coach me."

Much of what Karam does know about Iowa State has been learned from his head coach, Steve Van Meter.

"Apparently my head coach is good friends with Iowa State head coach Gene Chizik," Karam said. "The main thing he says about Chizik is that he is a great teacher."

Karam is coming off a junior season in which he threw for 1,951 yards and 25 touchdowns. He has thrown for more than 4,300 combined yards the last two season at Friendswood.